<i>ARID1A</i> overexpression inhibits colorectal cancer cell migration through the regulation of epithelial‑mesenchymal transition

The advancement of tumor cell metastasis is significantly influenced by epithelial‑to‑mesenchymal transition (EMT), and metastasis is a prominent contributor to the mortality of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC). AT‑rich interactive domain‑containing protein 1A (ARID1A), which acts as a tumor suppressor, frequently exhibits a loss‑of‑function mutation in metastatic CRC tissues. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of ARID1A relating to EMT remain poorly understood. The present study aimed to clarify the association between ARID1A and EMT regulation in human CRC cells. The investigation into the loss of ARID1A expression in tissues from patients with CRC was performed using immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, <i>ARID1A</i>‑overexpressing SW48 cells were established using lentiviruses carrying human full‑length <i>ARID1A</i>. The results revealed that overexpression of <i>ARID1A</i> induced cellular morphological changes by promoting the tight junction molecule zonula occludens 1 (ZO‑1) and the adherens junction molecule E‑cadherin, whereas it decreased the intermediate filament protein vimentin. The results of reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR also confirmed that <i>ARID1A</i> overexpression upregulated the mRNA expression levels of <i>TJP1</i>/ZO‑1 and <i>CDH1</i>/E‑cadherin, and downregulated VIM/vimentin and zinc finger E‑box binding homeobox 1 expression, which are considered epithelial and mesenchymal markers, respectively. In addition, the overexpression of <i>ARID1A</i> in CRC cells resulted in a suppression of cell motility and migratory capabilities. The present study also demonstrated that the tumor suppressor ARID1A was commonly absent in CRC tissues. Notably, <i>ARID1A</i> overexpression could reverse the EMT‑like phenotype and inhibit cell migration through alterations in EMT‑related markers, leading to the inhibition of malignant progression. In conclusion, ARID1A may serve as a biomarker and therapeutic target in the clinical management of metastatic CRC.